Sexual Abuse Therapists in New York, NY

Hi there! I'm Diandra, a bilingual (Spanish/English) psychodynamic psychotherapist who blends cognitive behavioral therapy with narrative and solution-focused therapy in my practice. In our work together, I prioritize relationship building as I believe the more my clients feel comfortable, safe and heard in our conversations the more effective our work will be.

My approach to therapy is clear, curious, warm, and adaptive to your needs. I utilize a blend of techniques from various therapeutic modalities that are proven effective and backed by research. You can expect our work to flow through two main focal points: practical insights and exercises based on neuroscience and mind-body integration that bring needed relief; and a deeper exploration of lifelong patterns in the subconscious mind to bring lasting change and healing. I am a supportive agent toward self-knowing so my clients can inhabit their lives and relationships from a place of vibrancy and clarity.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community and a queer therapist, I believe that therapy is different for every individual. My passion for understanding people and relationships has always been driven by curiosity. I primarily work with LGBTQ+ individuals and couples and have experience working with survivors of childhood sexual abuse. As a career changer, my previous career in advertising and fashion informs my extensive experience working with clients in the performing arts and other creative fields.

My practice is dedicated to serving those who have endured the profound impacts of trauma, particularly intimate partner violence or sexual assault, as well as those grieving a loss. They are individuals who, despite their challenges, are motivated to initiate therapy, and may be grappling with mood changes, or troubling symptoms, with or without a diagnosis. Together, we will explore and develop healthy coping skills, paving the way toward healing and rediscovery of hope. They are determined to work towards a brighter, more resilient future with therapy.

I am a licensed clinical social worker offering individual psychotherapy to adolescents and adults. My style of therapy is warm, non-judgmental and interactive. I strive to create an environment that feels safe where meaningful work can occur through exploration and gentle challenging. I utilize an eclectic approach, meaning the work is informed by my training in various modalities of psychotherapy and tailored to the individual. I hold a Master's degree from New York University and have trained and worked throughout the New York City hospital and public school system and in various outpatient mental health clinics.

I have practiced art therapy and verbal psychotherapy in NYC for 25 years. In private practice for the past 20 years, I have designed an original line of Creative Tools that fall within the disciplines of both Art Therapy and Creative Writing/Poetry therapy. I specialize in working with trauma-affected children, adolescents, families, and adults. My extensive clinical experience includes Directorships at inner-city agencies and hospitals. I have been invited to design and staff Art Therapy programs in some of these facilities. Trained at NYU, I work there as a Clinical Supervisor and Guest Lecturer.

Welcome to my art therapy and psychotherapy practice page. For over 25 years I have successfully worked with adults and young people seeking change. I am equally at ease with traditional talk therapy, art therapy, or an integration of the two and collaborate with my clients to establish the safest approach to realize personal intentions. My engagement style is gentle and encouraging, yet more thought-provoking and compassionately challenging when it is advantageous to the therapy.

Maybe you haven’t found a therapist who gets you. Maybe you aren’t seeing the progress you hoped for. We’ve all been there. I started my coaching business to provide young adults with a unique experience and realness you don't get with most clinical approaches: day-to-day guidance and mentorship from someone relatable who has overcome similar challenges. I specialize in helping you get unstuck and create a life you're excited about living using a process rooted in lived experience. Together, we'll set achievable goals, develop personalized coping skills, and build a support system within your real-world environment.

My ideal client identifies as a gay/bi/queer/questioning man who has survived childhood sexual abuse and/or a conversion therapy program (i.e. “ex-gay” or “pray the gay away"). The symptoms my ideal client is struggling with after surviving abuse manifest in anxiety, depression, substance use, relationship & sexual dysfunction, and others. My clients come to me to become empowered in their mental health, their feelings, their relationships, and their sexuality.

Footprints was started by a therapist who realized that often times the services provided to low socio-economic communities is lacking quality care. We noticed these communities were confronted with long wait times, disrespectful admins, and subpar treatment. The one and only purpose was to exploit the community for profit without providing the level of care deserved. Feel Better Therapy began from the inspiration to provide quality mental health care to the poorest of communities and treating the clients of this community the same way a rich patient would be treated in a clinic treating affluent clients.

I believe there is no single way of working with people who enter therapy. My goal as a therapist is to help you better understand yourself. Drawing from relational, cognitive, and trauma informed approaches, I support clients to build awareness, trust, and connection with themselves and to others. I believe that healing is deeply rooted in the therapeutic relationship and aim to create an environment that feels safe in order to heal.

I have a passion for helping adults, teens, and children heal from trauma. Whether you're struggling with a complex trauma history or navigating through a stressful life event, I work alongside my clients to help them navigate challenging experiences, overwhelming emotions, and confusing relationship dynamics (in families or with partners). My clinical focus and passion is working with clients navigating intimate partner violence, family violence, sexual assault, abuse as a child, and other complex traumas. In recent years, I've also developed a specialty in working with parents of children with special needs.

Sometimes it is a struggle to face thoughts and feelings that you are having. Various events have happened to us in our life that continue to haunt us causing harmful and troubling feelings. These troubling feelings can feel shameful and unforgiveable. It helps to have a safe environment to talk.

I work well with couples who are experiencing difficulties with communication, trust, violence, infidelity, divorce, and trauma. I am trained in EMDR and Focusing-Oriented therapy. In my work with individual clients, often the focus of therapy is helping with depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and sexual orientation and identity. I also have experience working with individuals and couples dealing with infertility and fertility treatments.

Even at the hardest moments in life, everything you need for happiness is already inside you. My goal as a therapist is to work together with you in whatever struggles you currently face, to uncover your naturally occurring strengths in order to live a full and meaningful life. Perhaps you’re not living the life you want to be living. You’re unhappy, but you’re not sure why. At times, we can feel lost, numb, and disconnected from ourselves. There can be many reasons for this, and through our work together, we will understand what these are and how to reconnect, to live a vibrant, fully embodied life.

My name is Sherie L. Seff and I am a licensed clinical social worker specializing in Trauma, Weight Loss Surgery, Eating Disorders and Sexual Abuse. I am trained in AEDP, Core Self Reclamation Therapy/Fierce Love with a psychodynamic/relational background which I believe paves the way for long term personal growth, success and healing. My office is located in the Columbus Circle area convenient to all major subway lines. I have flexible office hours including Saturdays and Sundays. I offer reasonable session fees based on mental health, and financial need. I can be reached at 646-265-3633.

I love to work with any adult who is ready to show up and work, just as I am. I enjoy working with clients in person, the walk you take to my office is part of our clinical focus on setting routines and making space for ourselves. That said, some of my most loyal clients see me on zoom, we work together to get therapy in.

Thank you for considering me as your therapist! I'm a warm and relational provider who specializes in working with emerging adults, high-achieving women, members of the LGBT+ community, anxiety and depression, a history of sexual abuse or sexual trauma, current or historical family conflict, and relationship exploration.

People most often contact me when a critical life event has occurred. They may be feeling anxious or depressed, or have become newly aware of a need to make changes in the way they handle their relationships, emotions, and self-esteem. For some, this is the beginning of a long journey of self-exploration. Others prefer to seek new, more effective tools to address the immediate situation. I think that a good clinician should be able to tailor the treatment to fit the needs and preferences of the client. Too often it is the other way around.